On April 1, 2020, the Prime Minister held the 25th meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, a discussion was held on the response to the novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19). Following the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“Today, the Expert Meeting on the Novel Coronavirus Disease Control convened and provided an analysis of the current situation of infections across the country.

Regarding the current infection situation in Japan, it was assessed that, the number of new patients in Japan is increasing, particularly in urban areas and, while the speed of the spread in Japan is relatively slow compared to other countries experiencing an explosive spread of infections, so called an overshoot, medical systems in some areas are being stretched.

The experts proposed to divide areas of infection into three categories, depending on the state of spread of infections; outbreak warning areas; outbreak monitoring areas; and non-outbreak areas. The experts provided the concepts of respective areal categories. Its proposal also includes possible responses taken by respective local governments.

On that basis, the experts pointed out the necessity of modification of citizens’ behaviors. As they suggested that citizens should refrain from going to visit downtown districts during night time, including to bars, night clubs, karaoke venues, and live music clubs, we ask the citizens once again cooperation in prevention of the spread of infection such as making sure to avoid 3Cs (closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded places with many people nearby, close-contact setting such as close-range conversations).

Based on this advice, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has announced new guidelines for the reopening of schools for the coming semester. I ask that the Ministry thoroughly inform of these guidelines and provide the necessary support so as to facilitate smooth responses by local communities and schools, according to their respective aforementioned categories.

In addition, for schools that have temporarily closed in accordance with these guidelines, the government will continue to provide firm support, including aid for parents who are forced to take leave and support for local initiatives in response to the situations faced by communities, such as after-school club activities and the use of classrooms at school.

Moreover, we have decided to further strengthen border controls, in light of the explosive spread of infections seen in countries overseas, primarily in Europe and the United States.

For the 49 countries and regions for which we raised the Travel Advice and Warning on Infectious Diseases to Level 3 yesterday, we decided to add all parts of them to the areas from which we will deny entry in accordance with the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. This will be effective as of 0:00 a.m., April 3. This will bring the total number of countries and regions from which we will deny entry to 73. We will continue to ensure that PCR screenings are conducted, at the airport, for all Japanese and other nationals, returning to Japan from these areas.

As of yesterday, the Travel Advice and Warning on Infectious Diseases is level 2 or above worldwide, and, along with visa restrictions, we will request individuals, including Japanese nationals, entering Japan from anywhere in the world to stay for 14 days at a place designated by the Quarantine Station Chief, and refrain from using public transportation.

In addition, as quarantine is tightened, many returnees will be required to receive screenings at the airports. We ask not only to secure adequate waiting spaces at airports but also reduce the number of arriving air flight passengers from overseas.

These measure will also enter into effect from 0:00 a.m., April 3, until the end of April, for the time being.

With regard to facial masks, the government has implemented measures, such as support for investment in production equipment. As the electronics manufacturer Sharp beginning production of masks among others, we secured the supply of over 600 million per month last month, exceeding regular demand. This month, we will support further increases in production and expect to secure a monthly supply of over 700 million masks.

Meanwhile, with the sudden surge in demand due to the novel coronavirus disease, there have been shortages of masks in stores, causing great inconvenience for the public.

Last month, we distributed 15 million surgical masks to medical institutions across the country. Next week, we plan to provide an additional 15 million.

Furthermore, we will secure cloth face masks and steadily provide the necessary amounts to care facilities for the elderly, care centers for people with disabilities, and elementary and junior high schools nationwide.

These cloth masks, like the one I am wearing today, are not disposable, and can be washed in detergent and reused, making them extremely effective for meeting the sudden surge in demand for masks.

By the end of next month, we expect to secure a further 100 million masks. Therefore, We therefore intend to include the purchase of these cloth masks in the emergency economic measures to be decided next week. We will distribute them to all of the over 50 million households across the countries, sending two per address, using the Japan Post’s all-address delivery system. Even if it is before the supplementary budget is passed, we will use contingency funds and other means and begin distributing these masks from the week after next, starting with those prefectures with the highest number of patients.

In each household, the number may not be sufficient and there will be the inconvenience of washing these masks. In light of continuing shortages of facial masks, we will advance these efforts swiftly so as to address concerns among the citizens.

The government will continue to exert every effort and implement all possible measures to protect the health and lives of the people, and we ask for the cooperation of the citizens.”